Rachel Howey turns to art to combat cancer

Mar 17 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

FOR Rachel Howey, every day is a bonus as she battles against a rare form of cancer after a large tumour was discovered on her shoulder.

She underwent four hours of surgery at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital last month as doctors tried to cut away as much of the cancer as they could.

The 31-year-old from East Boldon, South Tyneside, faced the prospect of having her left shoulder and arm amputated, but decided against it as the cancer had already spread to her lungs.

Now the hairdresser is doing her best to help others in a similar situation, using a painting she posed for to raise £500 for the Charlie Bear for Cancer Care charity.

She said: “Since I was diagnosed with cancer, it has been very, very difficult and I often wonder ‘why me?’, but I just have to get on with my life and take it one day at a time.

“The illness has changed my life and personality, but I still try to laugh and have fun. My cancer is rare and as a result it is unknown what pattern it will take. I don’t know what my future will hold.” Doctors told Rachel and her partner, Glen Sanderson, 33, that she had synovial sarcoma, which is a rare cancer that affects the tendons.